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Still the Monkey
The sickest, most painful feeling in the world was looking down out of the chopper and seeing the guys still down there, still fighting. Ripped from Vietnam's womb, that pain, that sickness, was Dennis Michael's rebirth. A warrior returns home, emotionally maimed, but still alive. Dennis survived. And it is time to pay his dues.Now, after nearly forty years of struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dennis' life intersects with that of Andrew Taylor, a young Marine double-amputee who was injured fighting in Iraq. For ten days inside the hallowed walls of Walter Reed's Mologne House, Dennis and Andy begin their cathartic journey of transforming pain into healing. Semper Fidelis. Never leave anyone behind.
316 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2007
19 people want to read
About the author
Alivia C. Tagliaferri
2 books34 followersAlivia Tagliaferri is an author, producer, documentary filmmaker and founder of Ironcutter Media.
Her debut novel, Beyond the Wall: The Journey Home (2nd Edition: November, 2009), is a work of historical fiction that chronicles the journey of a Vietnam veteran mentoring an Iraq War veteran as they navigate their way home after combat. (1st Edition titled 'Still the Monkey: What Happens to Warriors after War?)
Called “a moving novel” by Vietnam Veterans of America Magazine, “powerful and poignant” by Midwest Book Review, and “an important book” by a professor of psychology at Brown University, the novel has received recognition from the veteran, military and mental health communities for its stirring story and non-biased portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Impassioned to better understand post-combat issues in America, Tagliaferri subsequently directed and produced Beyond the Wall: Homeless Zone to explore factors that lead to homelessness among veterans. The documentary premiered at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the 2010 GI Film Festival, and has been selected to air on Discovery Military Channel.
She founded Ironcutter Media, LLC in 2004 as a platform for independent artists to share their creative works with social value. Based in Washington, D.C., the company provides publishing, media production and creative consulting services.
An alumnus of Pennsylvania State University (BA, History, 1999), Tagliaferri is actively engaged in how we as a society can best support returning warriors. Understanding the power of good guidance, she enjoys being a professional mentor for high school students at West Potomac Academy (Alexandria, VA) pursuing creative careers.
Her debut novel, Beyond the Wall: The Journey Home (2nd Edition: November, 2009), is a work of historical fiction that chronicles the journey of a Vietnam veteran mentoring an Iraq War veteran as they navigate their way home after combat. (1st Edition titled 'Still the Monkey: What Happens to Warriors after War?)
Called “a moving novel” by Vietnam Veterans of America Magazine, “powerful and poignant” by Midwest Book Review, and “an important book” by a professor of psychology at Brown University, the novel has received recognition from the veteran, military and mental health communities for its stirring story and non-biased portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Impassioned to better understand post-combat issues in America, Tagliaferri subsequently directed and produced Beyond the Wall: Homeless Zone to explore factors that lead to homelessness among veterans. The documentary premiered at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the 2010 GI Film Festival, and has been selected to air on Discovery Military Channel.
She founded Ironcutter Media, LLC in 2004 as a platform for independent artists to share their creative works with social value. Based in Washington, D.C., the company provides publishing, media production and creative consulting services.
An alumnus of Pennsylvania State University (BA, History, 1999), Tagliaferri is actively engaged in how we as a society can best support returning warriors. Understanding the power of good guidance, she enjoys being a professional mentor for high school students at West Potomac Academy (Alexandria, VA) pursuing creative careers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 19, 2007
This book was suggested to me so that I can try to better understand what a close friend of mine who is suffering from PTSD post war is going through.
I thought that the book focused too much on flashback stories from the main character Dennis, and did not focus enough on the growing relationship and bond between Dennis and Andy, and the pain that they both shared as combat veterans. Although I see the importance of including details about Dennis' experience in combat, I think that the reader will get the picture much earlier on, and more emphasis should be put on the relationship between the characters.
The book really didn't start to hit home with the message until about page 188, but it is worth a read if you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD during or after military service.
I thought that the book focused too much on flashback stories from the main character Dennis, and did not focus enough on the growing relationship and bond between Dennis and Andy, and the pain that they both shared as combat veterans. Although I see the importance of including details about Dennis' experience in combat, I think that the reader will get the picture much earlier on, and more emphasis should be put on the relationship between the characters.
The book really didn't start to hit home with the message until about page 188, but it is worth a read if you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD during or after military service.
March 8, 2009
When this book was nominated for my book club, it was definitely not my choice for our monthly read. After meeting Alivia and hearing her stories about her relationship with Dennis, I was really intrigued. This was a very interesting book about what war does to our soldiers while they are defending our country. The parallels she draws between Vietnam and Iraq are quite thought provoking. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and I commend her for sticking to her guns and writing the book the way she wanted!
November 9, 2007
The topic is not one I would not normally be interested in but the story kept me turning the pages. I recommend the book highly.
November 29, 2007
this gal told me this was one good book
Want to read
January 16, 2008let me see...it through...i think i will like it....
April 1, 2008
Alivia Thank you for your words of healing and transformation to soldiers and their families. My father, husband and myself are all veterans and this book is a blessing. Thank you.
June 10, 2008
This is a raw passionate work, remarkable in its vivid evocation of the horror of war and the numbness of its aftermath.
Want to read
November 3, 2007I just did a group book signing with her, and the book and the author seemed pretty interesting.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews